Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

The Center for Legal and Judicial Studies is honored to host Judge Robert Bork as the inaugural speaker of our aptly named Joseph Story Distinguished Lecture Series.  The namesake of the series – the eminent jurist Joseph Story – became the youngest Associate Justice ever to serve on the United States Supreme Court when he was appointed by President Madison in 1812.  Story made a significant mark on American law in his 33 years on the bench, but his greatest contribution to jurisprudence is his renowned Commentaries on the Constitution, in which he set forth a philosophy of judicial restraint.  Story famously declared: “A constitution of government is addressed to the common sense of the people and never was designed for trials of logical skill or visionary speculation.”  It is therefore particularly fitting that Judge Bork, a preeminent advocate of judicial restraint and eloquent opponent of visionary speculation, should offer his thoughts on the judiciary to launch this new marquee lecture series.